Attorney General Addresses Confusion Over Businesses Deemed Critical During Stay Home Order

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is seeking to clear up confusion about Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s stay home order. Specifically, she’s addressing which businesses should be considered critical. The State Emergency Operations Center has released the following statement:

The Attorney General’s office added a new section to its website Thursday, Know Your Employment Rights, to provide Michigan residents with more information on the legal rights of employees and employers under the executive order.

Nessel called on the cooperation of law enforcement agencies and the public to ensure the executive orders are followed.

“We have already put information up on our website specifically directed to the law enforcement community,” she said. “In addition, my staff is working with the Governor’s office to get new information up on their website every day – information that will help clarify which businesses should temporarily suspend or reduce their onsite operations.”

Willful violations of the order can result in a $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail for each violation. Violations should be reported to law enforcement that oversee the jurisdiction in which the alleged offense occurred.

“We are all in this together. If you can work from home, please do so,” Nessel said. “If you are a business and the Governor’s order requires you to reduce your onsite operations or temporarily suspend your onsite operations, please do that. For those who must work, please follow social distancing guidelines.”

Anyone seeking interpretation of an executive order should first review those orders and the FAQs posted online. If an answer is not found, requests for an interpretation of an executive order can be emailedto the Michigan Department of Attorney General. Frequently monitoring the FAQs is recommended as they are updated often.